FOOTBALL | Page 4 Duhail’s Msakni joins KAS Eupen on loan

Monday, January 14, 2019 CRICKET Jumada I 8, 1440 AH De Kock ton GULF TIMES puts S Africa on course SPORT Page 7 FOOTBALL / AFC ASIAN CUP REPORT Almoez nets four as slam six past North Korea Almoez also etched himself into the AFC Asian Cup record books for equalling the record for the most goals netted by a player as Qatar qualified for the last 16 stage of the continent’s premier competition

AFC continent’s premier competition. Al Ain He holds the record jointly with from the Iran (1996), Bahrain’s Is- maeel Abdullatif (2011) and Jordanian lmoez Ali was the star of the Hamza al-Dardour (2015). show yesterday afternoon Yesterday’s Victory means Sanchez’s as he scored four and set up side have secured themselves a top a fi fth in Qatar’s 6-0 defeat two fi nish in the group and their win ofA North Korea as Felix Sanchez’s side also ensures will progress moved to the top of the Group E stand- to the last 16. The teams face off on ings and into the knockout stage of the Thursday to determine who will top the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019. group, with Qatar’s huge win meaning The Al Duhail striker, now the tour- a draw in will be enough to nament’s leading scorer with fi ve goals take pole position. in two games, shone as his partner- After labouring in the opening hour ship with Akram Afi f down the left of their 2-0 win over Lebanon, Qatar destroyed the DPR Korean defence were taking no chances against North repeatedly while Korea, with Sanchez restoring the in- and also put their fl uential Hassan to the starting line-up names on the scoresheet. and the West Asian side possessed a Almoez also etched himself into greater level of urgency as a result. the AFC Asian Cup record books Within nine minutes the Qataris with his performance as he equalled were in front as Afi f glided past Sim the record for the most goals netted Hyon Jin before delivering a low cross by a player in a single match at the to Almoez that he controlled with his

Almoez Ali (R) and captain Hassan al-Haydos celebrate one of Qatar’s goals against North Korea in Al Ain yesterday.

right before stroking past Ri Myong Ri Il Jin suggested North Korea were the ball high over the advancing Ri My- when he linked up again with Afi f, who Guk with his left. about to lose control, but eventually ung Guk and Khoukhi headed in from led a rapid-fi re counterattack for the Two minutes later and Qatar dou- Kim Yong Jun’s side settled and almost close range. Qataris before rolling the ball through to bled their lead, with the threat this pulled themselves back into the game. Qatar refused to relent as they sought Almoez and he smashed his shot across time coming down the right. Hassan’s Ri Un Chol tried his luck from outside to boost their goal diff erence ahead of Ri Myung Guk and inside the far post. sweeping ball found Hassan al-Haydos, the area and his right foot drive only their crucial meeting with Saudi Ara- Almoez turned provider in the 68th the Qatar captain, and his low centre narrowly failed to fi nd the top corner. bia, with Almoez completing his hat minute when his pass allowed Hassan gave Almoez the perfect opportunity to That, though, was to prove a brief trick 10 minutes into the second half to storm through the rival defence and strike from close range. Once again he bright spot in an otherwise disappoint- with an easy fi nish after Afi f’s perfectly slot home Qatar’s sixth and the east was clinical, netting for the third time ing half for DPR Korea. With just two weighted through ball. Asian side’s misery was compounded in in the tournament. A string of yellow minutes remaining, they found them- The 22-year-old added further mis- injury time when Jong Il Gwan was sent congratulates in Al Ain yesterday. cards for Ri Un Chol, Jong Il Gwan and selves further behind when Afi f lifted ery for North Korea fi ve minutes later off for second bookable off ence.

WORLD HANDBALL Youssef shines with 9 goals as Qatar rout Egypt

By Sports Reporter The players sure enough responded in style yes- Copenhagen terday as they took control against Egypt right from the outset and stamped their authority, leading most of the time. oussef Ali scored a match-high nine goals In fact, the fi rst time Egypt edged a point ahead to power Qatar to a 28-23 win over Egypt was at 18.07 minutes into the game when they led in the 26th Men’s Handball World Cham- 9-8. Egypt again led 11-10 but Qatar caught up and Ypionship at the Royal Arena here yester- then never looked back to edge the fi rst half 15-12. day. In the second session, however, it was Qatar all The comfortable win helped Qatar bounce back the way as they took a 23-17 lead with less than 14 from their shock opening defeat to Angola and kept minutes remaining in the match. That proved be- them on course for a spot in the next phase of the yond the reach of Egypt as Qatar closed out the tournament from Group D. match in style. Coach Valero Rivera had been critical of the Qa- Frankis Marzo with six, Rafael Capote with fi ve tar team after they lost by a mere point (24-23) and and Anis Zouaoui, Allaedine Berrached and Ahmad had let rip at the players after the match. Madadi with two apiece were the other main scor- “We’ve just played the most horrible game in ers for Qatar. over fi ve years. They were better than us in almost For Egypt, Ahmed El Ahmar excelled with six every aspect of the game. All we can do is look for- points, while Mohamed Shebib had fi ve and Eslam Qatar’s Youssef Ali goes for the goal against Egypt in Copenhagen ward to the next match and forget that this game,” Eissa four. Qatar will clash with Hungary today in The Egyptian defence tries to stop Qatar’s Rafael Capote from yesterday. Rivera had said after the Angola match. their third match. scoring. Gulf Times 2 Monday, January 14, 2019 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT PSG STARS ARRIVE IN QATAR FOR WINTER CAMP PSG fans in Qatar can watch their stars train tomorrow from 5pm at the Khalifa International Stadium

By Sports Reporter

delegation from Paris Saint- Germain, made up of all the fi rst team players plus the club’s business managers, ar- rivedA in Doha last night to take part in the traditional winter tour in Qatar. Over four days, the Ligue 1 champi- ons will make most of the outstanding training facilities at the Aspire Zone. The fi rst-team squad, boasting of glo- bal superstars like Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edison Cavani, will also take part in promotional activities with main sponsor QNB. PSG fans in Qatar will be given a unique chance to get close to their he- roes, with an open training session to be held tomorrow from 5pm at the Khalifa International Stadium, one of the 2022 FIFA World Cup venues. This tour will also be an opportu- nity to inaugurate the brand new Paris Saint-Germain Academy in Doha, which will be run year-round on the pitches of the Qatar Foundation. PSG are coming to Doha after 3-0 win at Amiens on Saturday, which gave PSG’s Brazilian superstar Neymar poses for a selfie with fans in Doha yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil them a commanding 13 points lead at the Ligue 1 summit. PSG had seen their bid for a sixth straight League Cup title ended in midweek by struggling Guin- gamp at the Parc des Princes, but were Paris Saint-Germain’s Julian Draxler (left) and Kylian Mbappe arrive yesterday in too strong for a dogged Amiens. Doha to take part in the winter training camp at . (AFP) The reigning French champions re- main unbeaten after 18 games of the league season, and sit 13 points ahead of second-placed Lille, with two games in hand. Coach Thomas Tuchel left Neymar out of the squad for the trip to the Stade de la Licorne to rest a sore knee, but the Brazilian is expected to train in Doha. “He had pain in his knee and couldn’t feel free in his movements,” said Tuchel on Saturday. “He’s been with us since January 4. He’s played two games. It was too risky (to play), it’s more impor- tant that he’s not hurt and he can do a week (training) with us in Doha.” Since 2012, the Qatar National Tour- ism Council (QNTC) and Paris Saint- Germain have formed a strategic part- nership to promote sports and leisure tourism in Qatar. QNTC has organised several tours for Paris Saint-Germain’s teams, including the 2014 and 2015 Qatar Handball Tour, Edinson Cavani is all smiles the 2015 Qatar Ladies Tour and the 2013 as he checks into Al Aziziyah and 2015 Qatar Tour. Argentine Angel Di María (left) and Italian goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buff on were in much demand for pictures. Boutique Hotel.

ASIAN CUP HISTORY BECKONS SPIRITED INDIA IN ASIAN CUP Dubai: India aim to create his- rated teams in a tough Group A According to the rules, the top tory when they take on Bahrain despite their technical and tacti- two teams from each of the six ‘Lucky’ Japan reach knockouts in their third and final Group cal limitations. groups will enter the round of 16 A match of the AFC Asian Cup They stunned Thailand 4-1 along with four of the best third AFP 2019 today. If India do manage thanks to a strong second half placed nations. Abu Dhabi to enforce a favourable result, it performance and outplayed If both India and Thailand will be their first entry into the hosts lose their last group matches, second round since the knock- (UAE) before their inability to the men in blue will be the third enki Haraguchi smashed home a out stages were introduced. convert the half a dozen chanc- team in Group A due to a better controversial penalty as former India’s best result at Asian es they created came back to head to head record. In such champions Japan scraped a 1-0 football’s showpiece event came haunt them in a 0-2 defeat. a scenario, a favourable goal win over Oman to book their place in 1964 when they finished Presently placed 97th in the diff erence than the other third Gin the last 16 of the Asian Cup yesterday. runners-up to hosts Israel. But FIFA rankings, the Indians will placed teams may see India Japan, who have scooped Asian football’s that was a four-nation tourna- definitely fancy their chances through. Bahrain will be more biggest prize on four occasions, enjoyed ment with a round robin format. against Bahrain. But it will not desperate to win since they are their share of good fortune against Oman in The Indian team under coach be an easy task as Bahrain have at the last place in the Group Abu Dhabi. Haraguchi clipped the crossbar Stephen Constantine have well the quality to beat the Indians. A with a single point from two after just two minutes before Takumi Mi- and truly lived up to their nick- Even a defeat may see the matches. They had held held namino fl uff ed a handful of golden oppor- name ‘Blue Tigers’ by asking Indians make the cut if they do UAE 1-1 before losing 0-1 to tunities. tough questions of much higher not concede too many goals. Thailand. That profl igacy almost came back to haunt the Blue Samurai as Oman fl ooded forward and Muhsen al-Ghassani shaved the post from an acute angle. But Haraguchi settled LA LIGA Japan’s nerves in the 28th minute, convert- ing from the spot after he had appeared to go down easily under minimal contact from Oman captain Ahmed al-Mahaijri. Messi scores 400th La Liga goal Oman had extra reason to feel aggrieved when their own penalty claims were waved AFP nights in terms of his overall performance and in away just before half-time after Yuto Na- Madrid another team it might have been two-goal Suarez, gatomo looked to have handled a Salaah or even the brilliant Philippe Coutinho, picking up al-Yahyaei drive. “We were unlucky with the plaudits. the handball,” shrugged Oman coach Pim ionel Messi scored his 400th La Liga goal Suarez assisted Messi, applied a classy fi nish Verbeek, whose team were beaten 2-1 by Uz- Japan’s Takumi Minamino (centre) fights for the ball with Oman’s Khalid Nasser Fadhil yesterday as Barcelona strolled past Eibar and was on the end of a scintillating team move for bekistan last week. al-Braiki (right) during the Asian Cup group F match in Abu Dhabi. (AFP) 3-0 to reclaim their fi ve-point cushion at Barca’s fi rst. Coutinho was the provider for that “I just saw it again on the television and the top of the table. Messi drove the ball into one and he delivered a sparkling display to appease for me it was 100% a penalty. Against a team the quarter-fi nals. Turkmenistan could still qualify as a Lthe bottom corner after being teed up by Luis Sua- those doubting his future at the club. like Japan you need a little bit of luck and we But they will need to fi nd another gear if third-placed team and face Oman next but rez, who added two goals to his own tally either side Messi’s moment came in the 53rd minute and it didn’t get it. Now we have to pick ourselves they are to threaten Iran, who are purring, have work to do repairing their goal diff er- of the Argentinian marking another historic record was Suarez who started it, stealing back possession up for the last game and make Oman proud.” and a South Korea side set to be boosted by ence after disintegrating in the fi rst half at the Camp Nou. Victory saw Ernesto Valverde’s after a heavy touch from Anaitz Arbilla . Japan reached the knockout stages of last the arrival of Tottenham forward Son He- against Uzbekistan. side restore their advantage over Atletico Madrid, He bounced it off Coutinho and found Messi, year’s World Cup but they squeaked past ung-min. “It was tougher than we thought Javokhir Sidikov opened the scoring for who had briefl y reduced the gap to two points af- who touched and rifl ed in. Barca were enjoying Turkmenistan 3-2 in their opening Group F it would be,” Japan captain Uzbeki’s and Shomurodov’s double sand- ter beating Levante earlier in the day. Messi, mean- themselves as Coutinho fl icked the ball over one game and were poor against Oman, who al- said. “We were a little bit lucky with the wiching Jaloliddin Masharipov’s strike ef- while, extends his own large lead as the division’s opponent’s head and Suarez did the same through most equalised when Raed Saleh’s acrobatic penalty we had — and the one not given as fectively won the game for Hector Cuper’s all-time top scorer, which currently stands at 89 another’s legs. The third goal was simple, however, late volley fl ashed wide. well. But we should have scored two or three side before the interval. goals, ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. as Sergi took a quick throw and freed the scuttling But the Japanese remain unbeaten in more. That’s why we struggled at the end of Ronaldo does own a better goals-to-game ratio, Suarez. With the goalkeeper out, he looked up and seven matches since Hajime Moriyasu took the game in the last 10 minutes.” RESULTS with his 311 strikes coming in 292 matches. Messi’s chipped the ball into the far corner. charge after the World Cup and have now In the day’s late kickoff , Eldor Shomuro- Group E: Qatar 6 (Ali 9, 11, 55, 60, Khoukhi 43, quadruple century arrived in his 435th match. At 31, The pressure had been cranked up a touch af- lost just one of their last 30 games at the dov bagged a fi rst-half brace as Uzbekistan Hassan 68) North Korea 0 the Barcelona captain is unlikely to make 500 but it ter Griezmann’s second-half penalty had earlier Asian Cup, excluding penalty shootouts. crushed Turkmenistan 4-0 in a clash of is far from unreachable. earned Atletico a 1-0 victory over Levante. Griez- Japan are seeking to make up for their former Soviet republics to progress and go Group F: Japan 1 (Haraguchi 28-pen) Oman 0; He has 17 league goals already this season and is mann has now scored all of Atletico’s last six goals Asian Cup fl op four years ago when they lost top of Group F ahead of Japan on goal dif- Uzbekistan 4 (Sidikov 17, Shomurodov 24, 42, on course to fi nish as the division’s top scorer for a and this latest one proved the diff erence in a cagey on penalties to the United Arab Emirates in ference. Masharipov 40) Turkmenistan 0 sixth time. In fact, this was one of Messi’s quieter contest at the Wanda Metropolitano. Gulf Times Monday, January 14, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE De Gea produces masterclass as Man United beat Tottenham Zouma leads Everton into top half with victory over Bournemouth

AFP up sharply with an apparent hamstring London injury and although he returned to the pitch he was unable to continue, being replaced by . The decisive anchester United proved moment in the match came shortly be- yesterday that their recov- fore half-time. ery under Ole Gunnar Sol- Lingard cut out a careless cross-fi eld skjaer is no fl ash in the pan, ball from Kieran Trippier and nudged Mwith Marcus Rashford pouncing to seal the ball to Pogba, who had time to look a 1-0 win in a thrilling contest against up and measure a raking cross-fi eld Tottenham. The two sides went toe- pass to Rashford, racing down the right. to-toe in an open game but while both Rashford still had plenty to do but kept teams had multiple chances, United his nerve to fi re right-footed past Lloris goalkeeper David de Gea proved the and into the far corner — Lloris got diff erence, making a string of phenom- fi ngertips to the ball but was unable to enal saves. keep it out. Interim manager Solskjaer has in- Pogba, whose relationship with stalled Rashford as his number one Mourinho had deteriorated sharply, striker and was richly rewarded when looks rejuvenated under Solskjaer — he the 21-year-old scored the decisive goal has been involved in eight goals under in the 44th minute. Paul Pogba spar- the interim boss, with four goals and kled for United, engaged in a personal four assists. Tottenham came out of duel with Spurs goalkeeper the blocks smartly after the restart and for periods of the second half. United’s Kane looked certain to level from close victory is their fi fth successive Pre- range but De Gea saved brilliantly with mier League win under their temporary his left foot before pulling off a nefi save manager in a contest seen as his fi rst to deny an Alli headed eff ort. major test since he took over from the Ashley Young sent over an invit- sacked Jose Mourinho last month. ing cross that Pogba headed straight at Earlier, ’s Tot- Lloris and the Spurs goalkeeper had to tenham settled quickly into their fl uid be alert to tip over another Pogba eff ort passing game at Wembley, enjoying the that came at the end of a long spell of bulk of possession. They went close United possession. to taking the lead when Harry Winks, Spurs, roared on by a passionate seemingly unsure whether to shoot or home crowd, were building up a head cross, fi red the ball across the face of of steam and Alli had a golden chance to the United goal after being played in by equalise but De Gea was again equal to Son Heung-min. the task, saving with his legs. Minutes later the visitors had a The Spaniard produced yet another chance to take the lead when Ashley stunning save to keep out Toby Alder- Young’s cross fell to Jesse Lingard, who weireld before fl ying to his right to cling fi red over from the corner of the six- on to a Kane free-kick. Spurs had fur- yard box. United, with Lingard, Antho- ther chances in a frenetic ending but ny Martial and Rashford racing forward could fi nd no way past De Gea. The win Goalkeeper David de Gea lets out a war cry after his heroics helped Manchester United beat Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium in London yesterday. (AFP) at every opportunity, looked dangerous lifts United to level on points with fi fth- and Martial forced Lloris into a smart placed Arsenal and six behind Chelsea, strike saw Everton beat Bournemouth vember 24. Zouma opted to celebrate dale set a target of winning the Premier ning application for a new £500mn at low save with his legs. currently in the fourth and fi nal Cham- 2-0 as they climbed into the top half of his goal with under-pressure Everton League and playing Champions League Bramley-Moore dock later this year. The game lost a little of its frantic pions League spot, but Spurs remain the table. boss Marco Silva, saying: “I went to the football at the club’s new stadium dur- “It was a really important game for intensity midway through the fi rst half. nine points behind leaders Liverpool. This victory was just Everton’s sec- manager because he wants me to score ing the next decade. us,” said Silva. “We have to achieve the Kane poked the ball into the net after In another match, Kurt Zouma’s ond win in nine league matches and the more than last season.” Majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri results, for us it’s important to regain being set up by but it was ruled second-half header and substitute Do- fi rst time they had kept a clean sheet at This win came just days after Everton has invested heavily in Everton, with some form, and some confi dence also out for off side. pulled minic Calvert-Lewin’s stoppage-time their Goodison Park ground since No- chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxen- the Liverpool club set to submit a plan- and a clean sheet is also important.”

South African SPOTLIGHT FOCUS great Philemon Masinga dies Resurgent Man City resume title quest Maradona released Johannesburg: Former South AFP started just one league game so far this Africa star Philemon ‘Chippa’ Manchester, United Kingdom campaign, he is likely to be chomping at from hospital aft er Masinga died yesterday aged the bit to play from the kick-off against 49 in a Johannesburg hospital Wolves. Sergio Aguero, too, has returned from cancer, the national ep Guardiola’s rejuvenated Man- after being absent since the Liverpool win routine operation football association said in chester City face a potentially due to illness and inspirational club cap- a statement. Retired South tricky challenge at home to Wol- tain and defender Vincent Kompany is an- Reuters Africa captain Lucas Radebe, verhampton Wanderers today as other player winning his battle to be fi t for Buenos Aires theyP continue their title today’s match. The general picture sug- who played with Masinga at then English top-flight club defence. But the early days of 2019 suggest gests that, having weathered a brief loss of Leeds United in the 1990s, said their uncharacteristic December collapse form, City have not only returned to their rgentina’s World the country has lost a “great is fi rmly behind them. clinical best but also have a number of key Cup winning captain legend”. The fi nal month of last year saw City players hitting fi tness at the right time, as Diego Maradona was “For us as Africans it was lose successive league games, against rela- Guardiola insists his squad can maintain released from hospi- tively modest opposition in both Crystal their chase for honours on four fronts. talA yesterday after successfully a great experience,” Radebe said. “We were not used to the Palace and Leicester City, following an Even long-term injury victim Benjamin undergoing a routine operation weather and we struggled a end to their unbeaten domestic start to Mendy is making progress and expected to for stomach bleeding, his lawyer little bit — we kept each other the campaign earlier at the beginning of return to the fold shortly. said. The 58-year old coach of warm at times. Phil was a big December. But a victory over leaders Liv- Meanwhile second-placed City will Mexican club Dorados de Sinaloa hit with the team and the play- erpool to kick off New Year completely re- want to close the seven-point gap at the was diagnosed earlier this month ers. I looked up to him and I juvenated the mood at the Etihad Stadium top of the table created by Liverpool’s 1-0 with internal bleeding caused by think he inspired me the most. after City had been denied the services of win away to Brighton on Saturday when a hernia and went under the knife World Cup in 1986 before twice It was absolutely great the way injured Kevin De Bruyne for they face Wolves. However Nuno Espirito on Saturday in a hospital on the being banned for failing drug he adapted to the situation. He most of the fi rst half of the campaign. Santo’s side held City to a creditable 1-1 outskirts of Buenos Aires. tests, was taken into hospital in was easy to get along with and And two stunning cup victories in the Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola draw earlier in the season at Molineux “Diego Maradona has just 2004 with severe heart and res- he was most respected at the space of four days — albeit against lower and drew 1-1 at the Etihad in last season’s been released from hospital and piratory problems linked to co- club as a person.” league clubs Rotherham and Burton Al- not tolerate any let-up in his quest to add League Cup when they were still a Cham- is heading home to continue with caine use. A physically formidable bion — suggested the clinical, cutting edge more silverware to the club’s trophy cabi- pionship club. his recuperation,” the player’s He later underwent drug reha- forward, he scored the goal that characterised City’s play during last net. It was a mood refl ected by De Bruyne “We realised when we played the EFL lawyer Matias Morla said on bilitation in Cuba and Argentina that beat Congo Brazzaville season’s record-breaking title-winning against Rotherham when he showed vis- (English Football League) Cup and the fi rst Twitter. The former Boca Jun- before a stomach-stapling op- 1-0 in Soweto and took Bafana campaign was back. ible dissatisfaction at being brought off af- away game how complicated it would be,” iors, Napoli and Barcelona player eration in 2005 helped him lose Bafana (The Boys) to the 1998 Championship side Rotherham were ter an hour, even though City were already said Guardiola of the threat posed by high- has been no stranger to hospitals weight. In 2007 he checked him- World Cup in France. swept aside 7-0 at the Etihad, with third leading by fi ve goals. Some reports even fl yers Wolves. “They are strong physi- in recent years, often due to the self into a clinic in Buenos Aires Masinga ran on to a pass division Burton suff ering an even more suggested De Bruyne refused to return to cally, counter-attack, set-pieces. There is extravagant lifestyle that helped to help him overcome alcohol from midfield and slammed painful fate in a lopsided fi rst leg of League the bench to watch the remainder of the not just one or two, there are three or four make him one of the most iconic abuse problems. an unstoppable shot over the Cup semi-fi nal, when City scored nine match, remaining, instead, in the City (Wolves players) and when you are tired, players of the 20th century. In recent months he has Congolese goalkeeper before goals without reply. dressing room. they can put on new players.” He last fell ill at the 2018 World walked with the aid of crutches a capacity 80,000 crowd, in- That latter victory not only all but as- “No, I didn’t speak with him,” said City He added: “They defend well, deep, they Cup in Russia, where he fainted due to problems with his knees. cluding then president Nelson sured City of a place in the fi nal against manager Guardiola curtly, when asked if control many areas — Moutinho, Neves, he in an executive box while watch- He is expected to return to Mandela. Tottenham or Chelsea next month but also he had addressed De Bruyne’s reaction to can shoot from a long way. They are new- ing Argentina play Nigeria. Ma- coaching duties in Mexico when Masinga was part of the indicated the demanding Guardiola will being replaced. But given the Belgian has ly-promoted and doing incredibly well.” radona, who led Argentina to the he is fully fi t again. South African ‘golden genera- tion’ that won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations just four years COPPA ITALIA after an apartheid-induced international ban was lifted. Bafana qualified for the 1998 and 2002 World Cup tourna- Inter into quarter-fi nals at San Siro closed aft er racist chanting ments, but the national team has been in steady decline AFP their 1-0 Boxing Day win over Napoli. four with his head. Benevento forward Their 4-1 thumping of third-division blasted reports of the chanting by a since. He played for local clubs Milan Inter were two up inside seven min- Roberto Insigne smashed home a free- Novara at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on small section of the crowd as “a psy- Jomo Cosmos and Mamelodi utes thanks to a roaring start that saw kick that his brother Lorenzo, in action Saturday was sullied by racist and anti- chosis”, and said that “98 percent” of Sundowns before moving Mauro Icardi open the scoring from the later for Napoli against Sassuolo, would Semitic chanting dismissed by the club the crowd did not even hear them. abroad in 1994 to join Leeds. nter Milan cruised into the quarter- spot following a foul on Antonio Can- have been proud of, but Martinez scored as a “psychosis focusing on a minority Earlier on Sunday two late goals from Masinga also played for St fi nals of the Coppa Italia yesterday dreva, who was on hand to crash home again in the 66th minute to mean that or non-existent incidents”. Federico Chiesa saw Fiorentina beat Gallen in Switzerland, Saler- after beating second-tier Bene- after striker Icardi hit the post from a Filippo Bandinelli’s goal for the away Lazio’s notorious hardcore ultra fans battling Torino, who were the more nitana and Bari in Italy and vento 6-2 in a match played behind corner to double the hosts’ lead. side was nothing more than a second aimed a series of ugly barbs at their bit- dangerous side throughout the match Iclosed doors following the racist abuse The tie was put beyond doubt in fi rst- consolation. ter city rivals Roma as their side ran up a but were knocked out thanks to a brace Al Wahda in the United Arab Emirates. The attacker scored of Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly half stoppage time when Dalbert col- Candreva’s second deep into added four-goal lead before half-time, taunt- in the fi nal three minutes from the Italy 18 goals in 58 international last month. Inter played ran riot in an lected Ivan Perisic’s pass and thumped time was the cherry on the cake for Lu- ing them with chants of “Yellow, red international. On Saturday AC Milan appearances between 1992 empty San Siro as part of the punish- in the third, and Croat Perisic was on ciano Spalletti’s side, who in the quar- and Jewish” and “This Roma that looks and Juventus booked their places in the and 2001. ment the club received for the monkey hand again shortly after the break to ters will take on Lazio, embroiled in a like Africa”. last eight with respective 2-0 wins over chants directed at Koulibaly during cross for Lautaro Martinez to make it racism scandal of their own. Lazio spokesman Arturo Diaconale Sampdoria and Bologna. Gulf Times 4 Monday, January 14, 2019 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT ROUND-UP Bierhoff pays a visit Duhail’s Msakni joins to headquarters ormer Germany foot- departments. They also dis- ball captain and current cussed ways to boost ties be- general manager Oliver sides a number of issues related KAS Eupen on loan Bierhoff , accompanied by to football, especially challenges Fteam operations manager Tho- and relations with clubs as well mas Beheshti, visited the Qa- as the game’s development, and ‘I am very happy to get this opportunity to play for Eupen’ tar Stars League headquarters. exchange of experience and ex- Bierhoff and Beheshti were part pertise in match analysis and By Sports Reporter of the German Football Associa- football development. Doha tion (DFB) delegation, which was Bierhoff is one of the promi- in Doha recently. nent players to have donned the Topics discussed included Germany jersey. He has repre- unisia and Al Duhail football star the Qatar’s readiness to host the sented club sides such as Bayer Youssef Msakni hopes his six- FIFA World Cup in 2022, ex- Leverkusen, Hamburger SV, Udi- month spell on loan with Belgian change of expertise, the Aspire nese and AC Milan. The 50-year- club KAS Eupen will open doors Zone Foundation’s experience old is best remembered for scor- Tto better opportunities in Europe. and the DFB’s plans to establish ing the fi rst golden goal in the Msakni was speaking at a press confer- a new centre for the national history of German national team, ence at Aspire Academy yesterday which teams and a sports academy in in the Euro 96 fi nal for victori- was also attended by KAS Eupen coach Frankfurt. ous Germany against the Czech Claude Makelele and other offi cials. Bierhoff was received by QSL’s Republic. Msakni, who was a key fi gure in Le- Acting Executive Director of khwiya and Al Duhail’s success in Qatar Competitions & Football Devel- QSL CUP QUARTERS since 2013, suff ered an anterior cruciate opment Ahmed Khellil Abbassi LINE-UP ANNOUNCED ligament rupture towards the end of the in the presence of Head of Foot- Al Sadd will take on Qatar SC, 2017-2018 season and was out of action ball Development Miguel Heitor. while Al Duhail were drawn for several months after undergoing sur- Abbasi hoped that the meeting against Al Khor in the QSL Cup gery in the US. He also missed the FIFA would help the development of quarter-fi nals, which will be World Cup in Russia for because professional football in the two played on January 19. of the injury, returning to practice only in friendly countries and looked The other two quarters will be December. Al Duhail are currently second forward to further co-ordination between Al Gharafa and Al Ahli, in the Qatar Stars League standings with and co-operation on a mutual while Al Kharaitiyat will face Al 36 points, two behind Al Sadd. basis. Rayyan. Both the matches will “I am very happy to get this opportuni- Bierhoff and Beheshti gave a be held on Friday, 18th January ty to play for Eupen because it’s not easy brief on the style of function- at Thani Bin Hamad stadium (Al to fi nd a club in Europe after suff ering ing at the DFB and its various Gharafa stadium). such a serious injury,” the 28-year-old told journalists. “Therefore this is a good move and I can only hope that that I’ll be able to perform well enough,” he added. KAS Eupen are owned by Aspire Acad- emy and used as a stepping stone for as- piring young talent graduating out of the prestigious Qatar institution. Cardiff City and Brighton were report- edly interested in signing Msakni, but he Al Duhail’s Youssef Msakni (left) and KAS Eupen coach Claude Makelele address a press conference at Aspire Academy yesterday. said that was only “speculation”. “Those reports were speculation, there ning the title again,” said Msakni. last season, one behind teammate and moving to Qatar. was nothing concrete in them,” added Msakni’s immediate task would be to Morocco international Youssef El Arabi. Mskani has scored nine goals in 49 ap- Msakni, who added that Al Duhail can help KAS Eupen improve on their current He started his career at pearances for his country, including a still win the Qatar Stars League title. 10th place standing in the Belgian Pro before switching to Esperance in 2008. At hat-trick against Guinea as Tunisia qual- “They are behind Al Sadd by only two League. Mskani fi nished as second top Esperance he won four league titles and ifi ed for the World Cup after a 12-year points so they have a great chance of win- scorer in the Qatari league with 25 goals a Caf Champions League trophy, before absence.

England Women team set for training camp in Doha

Doha: English women’s football squad is Women’s World Cup to be held in France. Details released last week showed 28 destinations for visiting clubs and na- set to begin their training camp in Doha One of 24 teams in the tournament, players will be part of the squad in Doha. tionals team for training purposes. from today. Coached by former England England have been paired with Japan, England have won the FIFA World Cup With Aspire Academy providing for and Manchester United star Phil Neville, Scotland and Argentina. Fourth-ranked four times and reached the quarterfinals state-of-the-art facilities, around 10 the English squad will be training at England are one of the favourites for the on three occasions (1995, 2007 and diff erent European clubs will be seen in Aspire Academy until January 21, Qatar World Cup title. 2011). They also reached the Europe action during this month. French giants Football Association (QFA) announced The English squad’s visit to Doha is Women’s Championship in 1984 and PSG arrive in Doha on Sunday with KAS yesterday. part of the arrangement between QFA 2009. In the last edition, England fin- Eupen, Bayern Munich and PSV Eind- Former Germany captain and current general manager Oliver England are conducting the training and the English Football Association (FA) ished third in Canada. hoven have already landed in the Qatari Bierhoff (centre) of DFB with QSL’s Acting Executive Director of camp in preparation for this year’s FIFA last year in February. Doha remains one of the most popular capital. Competitions & Football Development Ahmed Khellil Abbassi and Head of Football Development Miguel Heitor.

MANATEQ QATAR NATIONAL SPRINT ROUND 1 FOCUS Nakheel to take on Taleb in Workers’ Cup fi nal akheel Landscapes and Taleb Group will going into Galfar’s fi fth and decisive kick, after meet in the fi nal of the 2019 Workers’ two misses each. Nakheel goalkeeper Anas Yous- Cup. In the semi-fi nals played at the souf then did well to deny Galfar’s Mudhafar Al Sadd Sports Club pitches on Friday, Swaleh and send his side to yet another Workers’ Nboth sides won through penalty shoot-outs. Cup fi nal. In the second semi-fi nal, Taleb Group Nakheel prevailed 3-2 (0-0 at the end of regu- showed their composure to prevail over L&T. lar time) over Galfar Al Misnad and Taleb Group Prince Boakye converted a penalty to give L&T a put it past Larsen & Toubro (L&T) 5-4 (1-1 in nor- 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute. The Taleb response mal time). The seventh edition of Workers’ Cup, was almost immediate, as Isaac Ameyaw fi nished the annual football tournament organised by the off a quick attack with an easy tap-in just one Qatar Stars League and sponsored by Supreme minute later to level the score. Committee for Delivery & Legacy for those in- In shoot-out, Taleb missed fi rst, with Samuel volved in the construction sector in Qatar, had Agyei skying his eff ort over the bar, but they re- started on 7th December. The fi nal is scheduled gained composure to convert all their remaining for 25th January. kicks while L&T went on to miss twice. The cru- Galfar produced a high-pressing game, but the cial miss came in the sixth kick when L&T vice- Nakheel defence stayed resolute and maintained captain Abdulaziz Sulaiman’s penalty went wide, a clean sheet. In the end, the match headed for sparking huge celebrations in the Taleb camp, as the tie-breaker that saw both teams tied at 2-2 they booked a fi nal date with Nakheel.

Winners at the Manateq Qatar National Sprint Round 1 pose with the Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) president Abdulrahman Abdullatif al-Mannai and other off icials on Friday. Abdullah al-Khelaifi topped the timesheets in the class one category ahead of Fakhreddine Bejaoui and Elie Daccache. Al-Khelaifi completed his run in 49.508 seconds to emerge as the winner. Mohamed al-Khayarin won the class two, and was followed by Nadim Ziade and Mohamed Aldelaimi. Hassan Hussain clinched the P1 title, while Dennis Nikitopoulos and Francesco Fornaciari topped the timesheets in P2 and P3 respectively.

Action from the Workers’ Cup semi-final match played at the Al Sadd Sports Club pitches on Friday. Gulf Times Monday, January 14, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Abdulmajeed in Oklahoma avenge pre-quarterfi nals By Sports Reporter Doha

atar’s Bashar Abdulmajeed joined Ali al-Obaidli in the knockouts of the Qatar 6Red World Cup yesterday. While al-Obaidli had already confi rmed his loss to Spurs, Griffi n lastQ 16 spot on Saturday itself with two victories, Abdul- majeed picked up two contrasting victories yesterday at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation Hall to punch his ticket to the business end of the tournament. While Abdulmajeed had missed out on a win on Satur- day against Egypt’s Mohamed Khairy, yesterday, he opened with a dominant 5-1 win over Indian veteran Alok Kumar. However, Ireland’s Greg Casey, in search of his fi rst main scores 44 in LA return draw win of the tournament, pushed the 37-year-old to the edge, before Abdulmajeed fought back for a 5-4 victory. ‘Schroder just sliced us and diced us, did a great job getting to the rim. Defense let us down’ Casey even blanked Abdulmajeed in two frames, includ- ing a 75-point break, taking a 4-2 lead. However, Abdulma- jeed stitched together a run of three frames for a memorable victory. Abdulmajeed will now face Iran’s Amir Sarkhosh in the last 16. Earlier in the day, al-Obaidli, who had won both his matches on Saturday, fought well against Thailand’s Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon before the latter won 5-3. Al-Obaidli will face Tirapongpaiboon’s countryman, Pongsakorn Chongjairak, in the pre-quarters. India’s Pankaj Advani, who was among eight unbeaten players in the group stages, fi nished as the top seed, having lost just four frames in the campaign, after the preliminary stages and will face compatriot Dhvaj Haria in the last 16 stage. Pakistani trio — Mohamed Bilal, Babar Masih and Mo- hamed Majid Ali — placed second, third and fourth respec- tively after the group stages.

FOCUS WADA poised to decide fate of Russian agency

Reuters Toronto

long-running doping scandal could be heading towards a conclusion when the World Anti-Dop- ing Agency (WADA) receives a report from their Compliance Review Committee (CRC) next week thatA could confi rm Russia’s conditional reinstatement. Having, after much stalling, allowed a WADA inspec- tion team access to data in a tainted Moscow laboratory on Thursday, Russian authorities will no doubt say they have met the fi nal demand laid out in a Roadmap to Compliance and call for the conditional status of the Russian Anti- Doping Agency (RUSADA) to be lifted. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (right) drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs forward Davis Bertans defends during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The CRC will meet members of the inspection teams at PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports WADA’s Montreal headquarters on Monday and Tuesday then submit a report to the executive committee recom- Marco Belinelli scored 24 points and De- and was a fi ve-time all-star with the fran- mending whether RUSADA be declared compliant or be AFP RESULTS Los Angeles Mar DeRozan added 18 points for the Spurs. chise. Before the game, Clippers owner slapped with new sanctions. Tensions and suspicions are LaMarcus Aldridge, who scored a ca- Utah 110-102 Chicago Ballmer waited on the sidelines and then ex- running high after a WADA inspection team was prevented reer-high 56 points against the Thunder on tended his hand for a handshake, but Grif- from retrieving the data last month when Russian authori- ussell Westbrook tallied 24 points Thursday, struggled with the extra coverage Sacramento 104-97 Charlotte fi n ignored him, sprinting off to the locker ties said the equipment being used was not certifi ed under and 10 rebounds and reserve and fi nished with 17 points. Phoenix 102-93 Denver room. Russian law. Access to the data before a December 31 dead- guard Dennis Schroder scored all “They didn’t let me play,” Aldridge said. Minnesota 110-106 New Orleans After the game, Griffi n scolded a reporter line had been a condition of WADA’s September decision to 10 points in the second half as the “They doubled me in every way. They came for mentioning the snub on social media, provisionally reinstate RUSADA. OklahomaR City Thunder defeated the San from the baseline, from the top. They made Oklahoma 122-112 San Antonio saying he was just conducting his pre- A second WADA inspection team went to Moscow and Antonio Spurs 122-112 on Saturday. sure that the ball wasn’t in my hands.” Orlando 105-103 Boston game routine. Asked if he would ever shake began retrieving data on Thursday but some athletes’ The Thunder rallied from a nine-point Elsewhere, Blake Griffi n made an turbu- Miami 112-108 Memphis Ballmer’s hand, Griffi n bristled, saying, “I groups and anti-doping organisations have expressed con- halftime defi cit to seize control of the con- lent return to the Staples Center, scoring 44 am not here to answer hypothetical ques- cern over whether all the material would be handed over test in the third quarter and avenge a 154- points as the Detroit Pistons toppled the Los Detroit 109-104 Clippers tions.” and whether it had been tampered with. Once WADA is in 147 double-overtime loss to the Spurs two Angeles Clippers 109-104. Andre Drummond had 20 points and 21 possession of the data Russian authorities must also ensure nights ago.Paul George added 18 points and It was an emotional day for Griffi n as he glad that it’s over,” said Griffi n. “The next rebounds and Reggie Bullock fi nished with that any re-analysis of samples is completed by June 30 this 11 rebounds for Oklahoma City, who out- snubbed Clippers owner Steve Ballmer be- time I come it won’t be as crazy.” 17 for the Pistons, who have lost nine of their year. Under increasing pressure to act swiftly and decisive- scored the Spurs 35-20 in the third. fore the game, was greeted with a standing The former fi rst overall draft pick by the last 12. “Down the stretch we played great ly, WADA said on Saturday that it would make the report The win snapped a three-game losing ovation during a fi rst quarter video tribute, Clippers in 2009 was surprisingly traded to defense, got stops and protected the ball and available to the executive committee no later than Thurs- streak for the Thunder. It was just San An- and then had a heated exchange on the fl oor Detroit last January after signing a fi ve-year that was the diff erence,” Griffi n said. day and announce a ruling on January 22. If RUSADA is tonio’s second loss in its last eight games. with former teammate Patrick Beverley as extension worth $171 million. Danilo Gallinari led the Clippers with 23 found non-compliant and WADA imposes new sanctions, “Schroder just sliced us and diced us, did the fi nal horn sounded. Griffi n averaged 21.6 points, 9.3 rebounds points. Lou Williams added 22 points, and Russian authorities can appeal against the decision to the a great job getting to the rim,” Spurs coach “There was a lot of hype coming into this and 4.2 assists in eight seasons in Los An- Montrezl Harrell had 21 points and nine re- Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), prolonging what is Gregg Popovich said. “Defense let us down.” game and I was looking forward to it, but I’m geles. He won the rookie-of-the-year award bounds. already one of the longest-running doping scandals.

NHL Panarin repeats OT feat as Jackets stop Caps Reuters continue. Copley (10 saves) came on Washington RESULTS for Holtby, and Atkinson was given a two-minute penalty for high-sticking. New Jersey 3-2 Philadelphia Washington’s struggling power play rtemi Panarin scored a pow- Rangers 2-1 Islanders could not take advantage of it, and the er-play goal with 1:30 left in Tampa Bay 5-3 Buff alo game remained at 1-0. overtime that gave the Co- The Capitals tried to increase the Boston 3-2 Toronto lumbus Blue Jackets a 2-1 vic- pressure on the Blue Jackets’ defense toryA over the host Washington Capitals Montreal 3-0 Colorado in the third period with longer stretch on Saturday night. Columbus 2-1 Washington passes since Columbus kept stacking Nicklas Backstrom had been whis- the neutral zone. Those helped Wash- Detroit 5-2 Minnesota tled for slashing just 12 seconds earlier, ington come up with several scoring and that gave Columbus the extra man. Las Vegas 4-3 Chicago chances, and Evgeny Kuznetsov tied it Seth Jones slid a pass over to Panarin St. Louis 3-1 Dallas with 1:06 left after Copley was pulled by the left circle, and he ripped a slap San Jose 4-1 Ottawa for an extra attacker. shot past goalie Pheonix Copley for the Meanwhile Jeff Carter had a goal and game-winner. It was Panarin’s second Arizona 3-2 Edmonton two assists, and Anze Kopitar added a game-winning goal in overtime in the Los Angeles 5-2 Pittsburgh pair of goals as the Los Angeles Kings last two games as the Jackets on Thurs- scored in each period to earn a 5-2 home day beat the Nashville Predators 4-3. ment and talked to the team and came victory over the red-hot Pittsburgh With consecutive OT victories, the to Washington for this game. Still, he Penguins. Alex Iafallo and Brendan Blue Jackets earned their ninth win in did not start, and backed up Korpisalo, Leipsic added goals as the Kings won for 12 games. Washington’s three-game but Bobrovsky told the Columbus me- the second time in six January games. winning streak came to an end. dia on Friday that the matter was fi xed. Jake Guentzel had two goals for the Goalie Joonas Korpisalo made 32 The Blue Jackets jumped on top Penguins, who entered with a victory in saves for Columbus, repeatedly rob- early. Cam Atkinson was sprung by a 10 of their last 11 games and were com- bing the Capitals, especially during a long pass up the middle from Markus ing off a rally from a three-goal defi cit third period when they came up with Nutivaara, then broke in alone on goal- Friday at Anaheim against the Ducks. several scoring chances. Also, for Co- ie Braden Holtby before beating him Guentzel had a hat trick in Pittsburgh’s lumbus, there had been issues with with a backhander one minute into victory Friday. goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. There had the game. Atkinson became the reason Rallying from a three-goal defi cit been an incident after Tuesday’s loss to why the Capitals needed to pull Holtby for a second consecutive night proved Tampa Bay in which the club scratched 8:43 into the second period. The Co- too diffi cult for the Penguins, who him for Thursday’s game against Nash- lumbus forward’s stick poked Holtby were coming off a season-high seven ville for disciplinary reasons. in the face or eye (through his mask), goal game. Pittsburgh did outshoot the Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Artemi Panarin celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime But Bobrovsky met with manage- and the Washington goalie could not Kings 21-5 in the fi nal period. against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Monday, January 14, 2019 SPORT

GOLF Kuchar two ahead in Hawaii in bid for 9th PGA Tour win Reuters Accuracy off the tee with Los Angeles his trusty fade on a shortish course has worked a treat for the 40-year-old. “That’s my att Kuchar went bo- strength, fi nding the fairway and gey-free again to earn around here it’s critical. There a two-stroke lead are so many doglegs and this over Andrew Putnam rough is nasty,” he said. Mafter the third round at the Sony “It was awfully steady, bogey Open in Hawaii on Saturday. free, the kind of Golf I like to An inability to birdie the par- play, give yourself enough op- fi ve 18th, where he hit a poor portunities, enough will go in.” third shot, was the only minor Kuchar ended a nearly fi ve- complaint Kuchar had after a year drought when he won the four-under-par 66 at Waialae Mayakoba Classic in November, Country Club in Honolulu. his eighth PGA Tour win, and He recorded an 18-under 192 he said it was a good recent ex- total, while Putnam drained a perience to have in the memory birdie at the last for a 67 to go bank. 16-under. Fellow American “I anticipate needing another Keith Mitchell matched the day’s good round tomorrow,” he said. best score, a seven-birdie 63, Second-placed Putnam might to jump into a tie for third with fancy his chances of overtaking Chez Reavie (66), four shots be- a player whose reputation as a hind Kuchar, who has made just closer is not exactly of the high- one bogey through 54 holes. est order. Putnam stayed within “It’s not often you feel like you striking distance without play- know what you’re doing with ing his best. your swing and the ball’s reacting “I didn’t hit the ball as well as the way you want it to and you’re fi rst two days, so glad the putter able to manoeuvre the ball the was still warm,” he said. way you want,” Kuchar told re- “I’m just going to stay aggres- porters. “It doesn’t happen near sive. There’s a lot of birdies out as often as most people think.” there. Matt Kuchar of the United States plays a shot on the tenth hole during the third round of the Sony Open In Hawaii at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Getty Images/AFP)

NFL FOCUS Sarkisian unlikely to join Cardinals’ staff Rams oust Cowboys, as the Giants off ensive coor- Reuters New York dinator in 2014-15 before his promotion. Arizona has fi nalized its ormer Atlanta Falcons other coordinator spots, with off ensive coordina- Vance Joseph signing on to run tor Steve Sarkisian the defense and Jeff Rodgers is unlikely to join the staying in his position as spe- Chiefs down Colts to ArizonaF Cardinals’ staff , NFL cial-teams coordinator. Network reported Saturday. ESPN reported Friday that GRONKOWSKI TO CON- the Cardinals were closing in SIDER RETIREMENT AFTER on a deal to sign Sarkisian to SEASON be their coordinator, but it ap- New England Patriots tight pears that won’t happen. end Rob Gronkowski is ex- New head coach Kliff Kings- pected to contemplate retire- advance in playoff s bury is expected to call plays ment again this off season, ac- and run his own off ense in Ari- cording to NFL Network’s Ian ‘The defense did amazing and the off ense did enough to get the win in the end’ zona, but he said he would like Rapoport. to hire a coordinator with NFL Gronkowski, 29, told report- AFP experience. ers last month he is not think- Los Angeles Sarkisian, 44, was fi red af- ing about retirement after fi rst ter two years in Atlanta that broaching the subject follow- did not live up to the heights of ing last season’s Super Bowl. record-setting rushing the Falcons’ 2016 off ense. The Rapoport said those close to performance sparked group fi nished 10th in points him think he’ll seriously con- the Los Angeles Rams and sixth in yards in the NFL sider it again, however. over Dallas and into the this year after ranking 15th and Following New England’s NFLA playoff semi-fi nals Satur- eighth, respectively, in 2017. Super Bowl LII loss to the Phil- day alongside with Kansas City The Cardinals also have in- adelphia Eagles, Gronkowski Chiefs, whose defensive unit terviewed former New York would not commit to playing dominated in a lopsided victory Giants head coach Ben McA- the 2018 season. over Indianapolis. doo for their coordinator The ensuing off season was CJ Anderson ran 23 times for opening. McAdoo, 41, spent tumultuous for Gronkowski, 123 yards and two touchdowns last year out of football after who was the subject of numer- while Todd Gurley added 115 being fi red by New York, but ous trade rumors and skipped yards and a touchdown on 16 he had a strong two-year run OTAs. carries as the host Rams ripped the Cowboys 30-22 in a National Conference playoff game. “It was incredible what they Masoud, Noora claim did,” Rams quarterback Jared Goff said of his blockers and trap gold medals rushers. “We know this defense and we prepared for it well. We ran the ball well. It started with Todd. CJ added to it. We did it really well.” The Rams will face either top seed New Orleans or defend- ing champion Philadelphia next weekend in the conference fi nal with a trip to Super Bowl 53 next month in Atlanta at stake. At Kansas City, Patrick Maho- mes threw for 278 yards and ran for a touchdown while Damien Williams ran for 129 yards and a touchdown to lead the Chiefs over Indianapolis 31-13, snap- ping a 25-year NFL home play- off win drought that saw Kansas City lose six straight. “We played a great ‘team’ football game,” Mahomes said. “The defense did amazing and the off ense did enough to get the win in the end.” The Chiefs will host next First-placed Masoud Hamad al-Athba (centre), second-placed week’s American Conference Mohammed al-Rumaihi (left) and third-placed Hamad al-Adbi championship game against Sun- pose on the podium of men’s trap event of the National day’s winner between the Los An- Los Angeles Rams running back CJ Anderson (centre) celebrates with wide receiver Josh Reynolds (right) and wide receiver Robert Woods Shooting and Archery Team Cup at the Losail Ranges. geles Chargers and New England and quarterback Jared Goff after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in second quarter in a NFC Divisional playoff game at Los Patriots for a berth in the Febru- Angeles Memorial Coliseum. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports ary 3 championship spectacle. “There’s a lot of confi dence, drove to the Cowboys goal-line, the Rams regained the lead on time since 1970. “We’ve got two punt – his fi rst block suff ered in a lot of chemistry and a lot of disdaining a point-blank fi eld Anderson’s 1-yard touchdown more to go,” Mahomes said. “I’m fi ve years – and Indy’s Zach Pas- guys playing their tails off for goal attempt to seek a touch- run, then stretched it to 20-7 at happy we’re playing the next one cal recovered the ball in the end each other,” Chiefs co-captain down, which Anderson obtained half-time after Gurley’s 35-yard here in front of our home fans.” zone. Kansas City responded Travis Kelce said. The Rams ran on a 1-yard run to give the Rams touchdown scamper with 3:27 Mahomes, who completed with a touchdown drive capped 48 times for 273 yards, eclipsing a 30-15 lead with 7:16 to play. remaining in the second quarter. 27 of 41 passes, directed touch- by a 4-yard touchdown dive by their old post-season rushing Dak Prescott scored on a Zuerlein added a 44-yard fi eld down drives of 70 and 90 yards Mahomes for a 24-7 Chiefs half- mark from 1986 against Dallas 1-yard touchdown run with 2:11 goal early in the third quarter but on Kansas City’s fi rst two pos- time edge. Mahomes, who passed by four yards, and infl icting the remaining to lift the Cowboys the Cowboys responded with sessions to seize command, Wil- for 5,097 yards and 50 touch- best rushing total of the cam- within the fi nal margin but the a touchdown drive capped by liams scoring on a 10-yard run downs this season, threw for 195 paign against the Cowboys. An- Rams took the ball and ran out Ezekiel Elliott’s 1-yard touch- and Tyreek Hill rushing 36 yards yards in the fi rst half, the most in derson and Gurley were the fi rst the clock for the victory. down run and a 2-point Prescott into the end zone, while the a playoff debut since 2003. Luck two Rams rushers to crack 100 Greg Zuerlein kicked a 25- conversion pass to Cooper. Colts, who won 10 of their prior connected with TY Hilton on a yards in the same playoff game. yard fi eld goal for the Rams to 11 games, managed only 12 yards 29-yard touchdown pass with Two crucial fourth-down open the scoring but the Cow- CHIEFS DOMINATE EARLY in the opening quarter. 5:31 remaining but Adam Vina- plays by the Rams in the fourth boys answered on Prescott’s After reaching their fi rst con- Harrison Butker added a 39- tieri was wide right on the con- First-placed Noora al-Ali (centre), second-placed Banna Ali quarter proved pivotal. LA 29-yard touchdown pass to Am- ference fi nal in a quarter-centu- yard Chiefs fi eld goal but the version kick and the Chiefs cre- (left) and third-placed Amna al-Abdullah celebrate on the stopped Dallas on downs to open ari Cooper for a 7-3. Zuerlein ry, the Chiefs will try to return Colts scored when Najee Goode ated the fi nal margin off a 6-yard women’s trap podium. the fi nal period, then the Rams added a 23-yard fi eld goal and to the Super Bowl for the fi rst smothered a Dustin Colquitt Darrel Williams touchdown run. Gulf Times Monday, January 14, 2019 7 SPORT

CRICKET / THIRD TEST FOCUS India call up Gill, Shankar to replace De Kock, Steyn put suspended pair

AFP in New Zealand.” Sydney Pandya had bragged about his success with women and made other sexual remarks during South Africa on ndia yesterday called up an Indian celebrity chat show all-rounder Vijay Shankar broadcast last week just as India and batsman Shubman Gill were celebrating their historic for their Australia and New fi rst Test series win in Australia. IZealand tours after KL Rahul Rahul was also on the pro- Set to make 381 to win, Pakistan were 153 for and Hardik Pandya were ordered gramme and watched his team- home in disgrace over comments mate’s antics, which sparked three at the close, needing another 228 runs made about women. outrage on social media and con- course Rahul and Pandya were axed demnation from skipper Virat ahead of India’s opening one-day Kohli who made clear the com- AFP international against Australia in ments did not refl ect the culture Johannesburg, South Africa Sydney on Saturday, which the within the squad. tourists lost, pending an inves- Both players, who have apol- tigation into the comments made ogised, have been suspended century by Quinton on a TV celebrity show. “from playing any form of crick- de Kock and a double “Vijay Shankar will join the team et” pending an enquiry for mis- strike by Dale Steyn before the start of the 2nd ODI in conduct and indiscipline. kept South Africa on Adelaide,” the Board of Control for With Pandya and Rahul miss- courseA to complete a series clean Cricket in India (BCCI) said, refer- ing, India crashed to a 34-run sweep on the third day of the ring to tomorrow’s match. defeat in Sydney on Saturday third and fi nal Test against Pa- “He will be a part of the squad despite a explosive century from kistan at the Wanderers Stadium for the ODI series in Australia Rohit Sharma. yesterday. and the tour to New Zealand. The next game in the three- Set to make a daunting 381 to Shubman Gill has been picked match series is a day-night con- win, Pakistan were 153 for three for the ODI and Twenty20 series test in Adelaide tomorrow. at the close, needing another 228 runs. De Kock made an imperious 129, equalling his highest Test India’s Rayudu reported for suspect score, before South Africa were bowled out for 303. bowling action Imam-ul-Haq and Shan AFP to suspected illegal bowling ac- Masood got Pakistan off to their New Delhi tions,” cricket’s world govern- best start of the series, putting ing body said in a statement. on 67 for the fi rst wicket. The 33-year-old’s action must Both batsmen looked com- ndia’s Ambati Rayudu has be tested within 14 days, but fortable on a pitch which played been reported for a suspect he is allowed to bowl until the easier on Sunday than the fi rst Ibowling action in the first results are out. Rayudu bowled two days. one-day international against just two overs, giving away 13 But a change of ends brought Australia, the International runs, in the ODI on Saturday, immediate results for Steyn. Cricket Council said yesterday. which India lost by 34 runs. Bowling from the southern, The part-time spinner’s action Adelaide will host the second Corlett Drive end for the fi rst was flagged by match off icials, ODI tomorrow, and the final time in the match, he had Imam citing concerns about its legal- game of the series will be caught behind for 35 with a su- ity, after the match in Sydney. played in Melbourne on Friday. perb delivery which moved away “Rayudu’s bowling action will Rayudu has scored 1,447 runs from the batsman just enough to now be scrutinised further in 46 ODIs, while taking three fi nd the edge. South Africa’s Quinton de Kock (left) jumps to celebrate his century (100 runs) on third day of the third Test against Pakistan at Wanderers under the ICC process relating wickets. Four overs later Steyn claimed cricket stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, yesterday. (AFP) the wicket of Masood after um- pire Joel Wilson originally gave facing 138 balls and hitting 18 him not out. A successful re- Scorecard fours and a six. SPOTLIGHT view by South Africa showed a Shadab fi nished with three for faint inside edge onto Masood’s SOUTH AFRICA 1st inn 262 all out D. Steyn not out 0 PAKISTAN 2nd inn 41 while medium-pacer Faheem thigh pad before the ball car- PAKISTAN 1st inn 185 all out D. Olivier c Ahmed b Khan 1 Imam-ul-Haq c De Kock b Steyn 35 Ashraf took three for 42. ried through to wicketkeeper De Captain Sarfraz Ahmed set De Minaur, Barty Kock. SOUTH AFRICA 2nd inn (o/n 135-5) Extras (b2, lb6, nb1, w1) 11 S. Masood c De Kock b Steyn 37 a record for a Pakistan wick- Duanne Olivier dismissed D. Elgar c Ahmed b Amir 5 Total (80.3 overs) 303 A. Ali c De Kock b Olivier 15 etkeeper by taking fi ve catches Azhar Ali for the fourth time A. Markram c Ahmed b Abbas 21 Fall of wickets: 1-24 (Elgar), A. Shafiq not out 48 in each innings. His total of ten ready to lead home in the series when the batsman dismissals in the match was one H. Amla c Ahmed b H. Ali 71 2-29 (Markram), 3-45 (De B. Azam not out 17 gloved a bouncer to De Kock. Bruyn), 4-45 (Hamza), 5-93 better than the record previ- Asad Shafi q (48 not out) and T. de Bruyn c Shafiq b Ashraf 7(Bavuma), 6-195 (Amla), 7-223 Extras (lb1) 1 ously shared by Rashid Latif and charge in Melbourne Babar Azam (17 not out) saw Pa- Z. Hamza lbw b Ashraf 0(Philander), 8-302 (De Kock), Total (3 wkts, 40 overs) 153 Kamran Akmal. kistan through to the close with Pakistan only made one to- T. Bavuma c Ahmed b Khan 23 9-302 (Rabada) Fall of wickets: 1-67 (Imam), Reuters an unbeaten stand of 49. tal over 200 in their fi rst fi ve 2-74 (Masood), 3-104 (A. Ali) Melbourne De Kock and Hashim Amla Q. de Kock c H. Ali b Khan 129 Bowling: Amir 20-2-56-2, Abbas innings in the series and had 18-3-73-1 (1w), H. Ali 17-1-83-1, were mainly responsible for V. Philander lbw b Amir 14 Bowling: Steyn 12-1-37-2, Philan- not batted for longer than 70.4 Ashraf 14-3-42-3 (2w), Khan der 10-3-28-0, Olivier 8-2-41-1, overs. South Africa posting a target K. Rabada c Khan b Ashraf 21 n ice bath, a massage likely to be beyond Pakistan’s 11.3-0-41-3 Rabada 10-1-46-0 Steyn’s two wickets took his and a private jet ride reach. They came together on total in Tests to 433, bringing him from Sydney to Mel- Saturday when their side were piled an innings of 71 off 144 also shared an eighth wicket tury off 121 deliveries. He was level with Sri Lanka’s Rangana bourne after winning 93 for fi ve, at which stage their balls, the left-handed De Kock stand of 79 with Kagiso Rabada. fi nally caught in the deep, trying Herath and Stuart Broad of Eng- hisA fi rst ATP title has refreshed lead was a modest 170. played fl uently as the pair put on De Kock reached his fi fty off for a second successive six off land in joint eighth place on the Alex de Minaur enough for him While Amla patiently com- 102 for the sixth wicket. De Kock 49 balls and his fourth Test cen- leg-spinner Shadab Khan, after all-time Test wicket-takers list. to state he is ready to lead the host nation’s hopes for the men’s title at the Australian Open. TENNIS MOTORSPORT The 19-year-old wore down Italian veteran Andreas Seppi 7-5, 7-6 (5) to win the Sydney International late on Saturday — Dakar truck his second match in fi ve hours. India’s Gunneswaran rues He then had to rush to Mel- bourne yesterday on a private driver excluded jet — “a small one” — in order to fi nalise his preparations for his singles drought back home aft er collision fi rst round clash with Portugal’s Pedro Sousa at the season open- Reuters with spectator ing Grand Slam today. Melbourne The teenager had criticised years ago, three years ago. Every Australian Open organisers on match, just making sure I go out Reuters Saturday for the scheduling af- there, compete, just give it my rajnesh Gunneswaran is Lima ter defeating Frenchman Gilles all. the lone Indian in the singles Simon in the semi-fi nals, but “That’s pretty much all I can main draw at the 2019 Aus- was in a more conciliatory mood ask from myself.” tralian Open and the 29-year- ormer Dakar Rally winner Andrey yesterday. Barty also had to make a hur- Pold rues the sorry state of the game Karginov, competing for Russia’s “I’ve done everything to re- ried dash to Melbourne after back home, which he thinks will not Kamaz team in the truck category, has cover. Hopped in the ice bath, she lost the Sydney fi nal to Petra improve even if he pulls off a miracle been excluded from this year’s event in had a massage. I’m ready to go... Kvitova in a third-set tie-break to reach the fi nal in Melbourne. PeruF for failing to stop after a collision with a the body is feeling good,” De Mi- and is also scheduled to play to- Cricket lords over other sports in In- spectator. naur, who is the 27th seed and day evening against Thailand’s dia and the country of 1.3bn has no men The Russian, who won in 2014, was third highest-ranked Australian in the Luksika Kumkhum on Margaret or women singles player currently in the at the time of the incident on Friday with two men’s singles, told reporters. Court Arena. top 100 even though it has produced de- wins from the fi ve stages so far. “It’s (the Sydney title) given The world number 15 will also cent doubles players in recent past. “A 60-year-old man from South Africa, me a lot of confi dence. To be able bear the burden of expecta- Reaching the singles main draw at second-most populous country. event and I have to focus and do every- who was watching the race in an unsecured to do it at my home in front of tion from a home crowd who are a Grand Slam in itself is a success in “I don’t think there is any lack of thing that I can to do well. Obviously area... was hit by a race truck (#518 Andrey my friends and family, it’s always waiting to end a similarly-long cricket-mad India, which has only motivation. We don’t have the system there is a certain amount of expecta- Karginov),” organisers said in a statement. that much more special,” he said. drought in the women’s draw. seen Yuki Bhambri achieve the feat in place to produce players so no mat- tion that comes with being currently “The competitor was excluded from the rally “Coming in, it’s given me a lot The last local champion was since Somdev Devvarman played in ter how much motivation is there we the number one in India. I am going to by the jury of commissioners for not stopping of confi dence. Hopefully I can Chris O’Neil in 1978. the 2013 US Open. will not produce any players even if I step on the court and give it my best to attend the injured spectator,” they added. just ride that momentum and Last year Barty won two WTA Gunneswaran is India’s highest- make the fi nal,” Gunneswaran said. and hope that I can come out on top.” The spectator suff ered a broken femur and keep playing some great tennis titles, reached the fourth round ranked singles player at 112 and will “Somdev has been 70 and we had Gunneswaran had missed out on was fl own to hospital in Arequipa. here in Melbourne.” at the US Open and earlier this meet American 20-year-old Frances other players in the past who have playing in the French Open main draw The motorsport.com website reported that De Minaur is one of 12 Aus- week beat world number one Si- Tiafoe, who is ranked 39, in his open- been top 30 but that didn’t produce last year as a lucky loser as he had left Karginov’s truck drove over the spectator’s tralians in the men’s singles and mona Halep in Sydney. ing round today after booking his spot another 100 players. Paris to play a Challenger event. left leg and quoted Kamaz team boss Vladimir seeking to become the fi rst local “You know, I’m excited to get at the year’s fi rst Grand Slam through “I don’t think me doing something He is coming off a strong 2018 dur- Chagin as saying the exclusion was “very harsh”. to win the title since Mark Ed- out there and try and play my the qualifi ers. here will make a drastic change. It will ing which he rose to a career-high 104 He said the driver had been unaware of what mondson in 1976. best tennis for myself, my team “It’s a good thing and a bad thing,” he change my life but when it comes to in November following strong results had happened until the end of the stage. The last Australian man to and the Australian public, but told Reuters in an interview yesterday. Indian tennis I don’t think so.” and two Challenger titles. “As he was driving up one of the ascents, make the men’s singles fi nal was there is certainly no extra pres- “It’s good for me personally because Gunneswaran feels India’s search The Indian did not have much idea there was a group of fi ve spectators in the path Lleyton Hewitt, who lost to Ma- sure from them,” Barty said on obviously I get a bit more coverage and a for quality singles players would not about Tiafoe but knew he needed to be of the truck. Four managed to clear off but one rat Safi n in 2005, but De Minaur Saturday. bit more presence in the media. end anytime soon. at his best to advance. tripped in the sand and his leg was caught un- felt there was no added pressure “I think, if anything, it’s em- “But I would also like to see more In- “We need an entire system and infra- “I don’t know too much about him. der the rear wheel of the truck,” said Chagin. on him to end the long drought. bracing the support that you do dians in this part of the tournament, in structure, from coaches to fi tness train- I have seen him on TV playing match- “Andrey naturally didn’t see this — it was an “I think once you start think- get. the main draw, doing well, making it to ers, a centre where the youngsters can es,” Gunneswaran said. “I know he’s ascent and all you can see through the wind- ing in diff erent ways to deal with “I’m a diff erent player than I the second week like we do in doubles.” go and play and develop and get better,” very good, he’s top 40 for a reason. shield is the sky and the top of the mountain.” these situations, that’s the wrong was 12 months ago. I feel like I’m He dismissed suggestions that his he said. “We don’t have that kind of a “I will have to play well to beat him. The rally, staged in South America since be- thing to do,” he said. a much better player. I’m a more Australian Open appearance could consistent system in India. I will come up with a game plan tomor- ing switched from Africa in 2009 for security “I’m just doing the same complete player... I feel like I’m motivate more players in the world’s “Here I am playing a professional row (Monday) and give it all I have got.” reasons, ends in Lima on January 17. things that I was doing two playing great tennis.”

Monday, January 14, 2019 GULF TIMES TENNIS

TOP OF THE LINE Wozniacki upbeat ahead of Aussie Open defence

AFP Melbourne

n upbeat Caroline Woz- niacki said she was rel- ishing returning to the Australian Open as de- fendingA champion yesterday and dismissed concerns health prob- lems were aff ecting her game. The Dane achieved a career milestone at Melbourne Park to claim her maiden Grand Slam last year, but also revealed she was suff ering the debilitating auto-immune condition rheu- matoid arthritis. Wozniacki, 28, insisted there was no extra pressure returning Down Under as the title holder, Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki signs autographs after a training saying she was treating her up- session in Melbourne on Saturday. (AFP) coming campaign as “a nice, fun challenge”. barely move her arms. Maldives and the Virgin Islands. “I felt comfortable straighta- “For me, it’s just all the time The avid Liverpool fan also way when I hit balls on that making sure I get good massag- visited the less sunny climes of court. It was just a good feeling,” ing, good treatments, ice baths, Anfi eld to see her beloved team she said of her return to Rod Lav- stretching, do everything even in action, indulging in the local er Arena, the scene of last year’s more thoroughly than maybe in fare after cheering Jurgen Klopp’s three set triumph over world the past,” she said. men on to victory. number one Simona Halep. She said the pre-season routine “They have great burgers right “Then, you see your photos all was unchanged, aside from some outside. There’s a huge line out- over the place, which is cool. So extra gym work to keep in shape side one of them... they had fries, it’s defi nitely great to be back.” before training began in earnest. all sorts of stuff ,” she said. “I was Wozniacki, seeded third at this After such a rollercoaster 2018, like, ‘we have to try it while we’re year’s tournament, said she was Wozniacki said she needed “to here’. It was really, really good.” carefully managing her arthritis, leave the racquet behind for a Wozniacki begins her tourna- a condition which sometimes while” during the off -season, ment today against Alison van leaves her so exhausted she can recharging her batteries in the Uytvanck of Belgium.

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Serena ready to claim fi rst Slam as a Federer ‘shocked’, mum, says coach Djokovic ‘hurt’ by Murray retirement ‘He won everything he wanted to win. Anybody would substitute their career with his’

AFP Murray much more Melbourne than just a tennis player: Mauresmo oger Federer admit- ted yesterday he was Andy Murray will leave the shocked that tennis sport as more than just a was to lose “legend” sporting figure, the Briton’s AndyR Murray this year while former coach Amelie Mau- long-time friend Novak Djoko- resmo said yesterday. vic said the bombshell news had The three-time grand slam “hurt” him. champion has emerged as Both paid tribute to the a feminist figure in tennis, Reuters enth Australian Open title in former world number one on notably hiring Frenchwoman Melbourne the professional era in 2017 but the eve of the year’s fi rst Grand Mauresmo as his coach from missed out on her title defence Slam with Federer adding that 2014-16. while on maternity leave. the Scot should be “incredibly “He is a champion reaching erena Williams is ready She returned to the tour at proud” of what he had achieved. beyond his sport, especially to win her fi rst Grand Indian Wells last year and had Murray on Friday admitted Britain’s Andy by taking steps forward on Slam title as a mother, a roller-coaster season, forced that his chronic hip injury had not Murray takes a the gender equality topic,” having arrived at the to pull out of the French Open been eased by surgery a year ago. AustralianS Open in her best con- fourth round with a pectoral break during a former world number one He then choked back tears and training session Mauresmo told French sports dition since coming back from muscle injury and was later beat- broke down as he revealed that in Melbourne daily L’Equipe. maternity leave, according to her en by Angelique Kerber in the fi - he hoped to end his storied ca- on Saturday. “(Taking me as a coach) coach Patrick Mouratoglou. nal at Wimbledon. reer at Wimbledon, but the Aus- (Reuters) was not a PR thing. It was a Frenchman Mouratoglou, who She then revealed a personal tralian Open beginning today profound conviction he had has guided Williams to the last 10 battle with postpartum depres- could be his last event because from his education, his open- of her 23 Grand Slam titles, felt sion before closing her season in the constant pain was so bad. er, legend. He won everything he “I think to that extent, we are twice and Federer hoped the mindedness. the American great was in “de- disappointment and acrimony, “I was disappointed and sad, wanted to win. Anybody would kind of similar. Our trajectory Scot could keep playing long “He is not afraid of his cent shape” when she reached with a loss to Naomi Osaka in a a little bit shocked, to know now substitute their career with his. to the professional tennis world enough to be able to say goodbye own sensitiveness, on the last year’s fi nals at Wimbledon US Open fi nal marred by a huge that we’re going to lose him at He’s a great guy.” was pretty much similar,” added on his favourite famous grass contrary. To me, he has been and the US Open. row with the chair umpire Carlos some point,” Federer told re- World number one Djoko- the Serb, who faces American courts. undervalued as a man, not as However, her fi tness had since Ramos. porters. vic played Murray in a practice Mitchell Krueger in the fi rst “Of course, I hope that he can a tennis player.” gone up a notch and Margaret Seeded 16th in Melbourne, “But we’re going to lose every- match three days ago and said it round on Tuesday. play a good Australian Open and Court’s all-time record of 24 Williams warmed up for the body at some point. It’s just now was obvious that there were se- “His birthday is one week be- he can keep playing beyond that, Grand Slam singles titles may year’s fi rst Grand Slam by win- that it’s defi nite,” he added, ac- rious problems. fore mine. We’ve grown together really fi nish the way he wants to years and will be remembered well be in peril at Melbourne ning all three of her singles knowledging that the era of the “You didn’t need to be on playing junior events. We played at Wimbledon,” said 20-time for battling his way to world Park, he said. matches at the Hopman Cup in “Big Four” — himself, Djokovic, court to notice that he’s strug- lots of epic matches. Grand Slam champion, who be- number one in 2016 during “First of all, last year she made Perth. She plays unseeded Ger- Rafael Nadal and Murray was gling, that he’s not moving as “Obviously to see him strug- gins his Australian Open title a golden era for men’s tennis an incredible eff ort to come back man Tatjana Maria in her fi rst drawing inexorably to a close. well as he normally does,” said gle so much and go through so defence today against Denis Is- alongside Federer, Djokovic and in shape after having a baby and round match on Tuesday. “Of course, it hits us top guys Djokovic, 31, who is just a week much pain, it’s very sad and it tomin. Nadal. actually she came back in a de- Williams has a tough road to an hard because we know Andy younger than Murray. hurts me as his longtime friend, “It’s a tough one, but one Murray faces a fi rst-round cent shape quite fast,” Moura- eighth title, with world number very well,” the world number “We’ve seen so many years of colleague, rival. down the road he can look back clash today against in-form toglou told Reuters in an inter- one and French Open champion three said of the three-time Andy Murray being one of the “I will carry beautiful memo- on and be incredibly proud of Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, view. Simona Halep a potential quar- Grand Slam champion and dou- fi ttest guys on the tour, running ries from the court and off the everything he has achieved.” seeded 22, who beat Djokovic “It was a big deal. She had a lot ter-fi nal opponent followed by ble Olympic gold medal winner. around the court, getting always court. It’s just sad.” Murray was the fi rst British on his was to winning the Qatar of medical issues after the de- Osaka in the semi-fi nals if the “He’s a good guy, Hall of Fam- an extra ball back. Murray has won Wimbledon man to win Wimbledon in 77 Open earlier this month. livery but she defi nitely was not seeds hold sway. 100 %. Mouratoglou said seedings “She reached two Grand Slam and rankings would mean little fi nals. She was fi t. if Serena brought her best form. Djokovic satisfi ed with prize pool ahead of Australian Open tilt “I am knowing her now for a “I feel when she’s playing at few years so I knew she could be her best, she’s the best player in Reuters push for a higher percentage focussed more on the earlier earnings in 2013 was 336 for draw, for both men and women, much fi tter but it’s just a ques- the world,” he said. Melbourne of earnings generated at the rounds, last rounds of qualifica- men and 253 for women. But will receive A$75,000 ($54,143), tion of time. “Of course, she’s not number world’s biggest tennis tourna- tion...” Djokovic told journalists. once coaching costs are factored representing a 25 percent “And I think she’s fi tter now. one in the world, and I have a lot ments be distributed to players. “We’re trying to increase the in, far fewer players can make a increase on the previous year. You can see it, it’s quite obvious of respect for the number one but ovak Djokovic says he He said yesterday ahead of the number of players that are able living, with the break-even point Players can usually secure a when you see her on the court, I still feel that if Serena plays her is satisfied with how the start of the Australian Open he to travel around the world, not approaching 150. main draw appearance by hav- how she moves. tennis and she’s herself 100 %, I Ngrand slams are reacting was satisfied with recent prize just cover expenses, have the A large part of the prize money ing a ranking in the top 100. “I think she came back to a still think she’s the best. But she to a player-led push for bigger money changes, which includes full team, have a decent living increase at the Australian Open Djokovic and rival Roger very, very high level of fi tness. has to show it now. paychecks — but that it’s not a 14 percent rise in the prize pool out of the sport that they play.” — run by the country body and Federer are both in search of a “So she’s ready. She’s ready “I think it might happen,” about increasing his own bank for the Melbourne event. An International Tennis Federa- ITF, not the ATP — is directed record seventh Australian Open to compete and when Serena’s Mouratoglou said of Williams’ balance. “I have to mention that because tion (ITF)-commissioned study at the earlier rounds of the title in Melbourne, and with it, ready to compete, she’s ready to hopes for a 24th Grand Slam ti- Djokovic, the president of the we are focussed on distribution, previously found the break-even tournament. a winner’s purse of A$4.1mn win.” tle. ATP Player’s Council, has led a equal distribution, and we are point where average costs met First round losers in the main ($2.96mn). While two months’ pregnant, “We’ll do everything for it to Williams claimed a record sev- happen this year.”